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 The Verse
A monthly newsletter
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The Hymn Society
in the United States and Canada
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April 2016
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Happy Eastertide! I hope you see more flowers than snow when you look out the window. I also hope your days are filled with music. There sure is a lot of singing going on around the country with Hymn Society members -- check out all the festivals and congregational song events. Maybe one is in your area. If there's not one close by, why don't you try your hand at planning one? We'll help -- just give us a call.
I'm just back from a weekend gathering of The Alliance of Baptists where I presented, along with Paul A. Richardson, FHS, and Jock Lewis, workshops on new hymns for progressive congregations. The Hymn Society made some new friends, especially two who might be future Lovelace Scholars! Is there a gathering where you think The Hymn Society should be present? Give me a call and we'll see what plans we can work out to make new friends among your circle of colleagues.
If you haven't registered for our conference in Redlands, CA, please do try to join us. We'd really love to see you and there is a big celebration planned for the week in addition to all the inspiring music and learning. You won't want to miss this!
Keep in touch and keep singing ---
Deb Deborah Loftis
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Lifting Hearts - Joining Hands - Raising Voices: The Campaign for The Center for Congregational
S ong Do you like surprises? We sure had a BIG surprise here in the Hymn Society office when a person from the John H. and Eula Mae Baugh Foundation called to check on our address. Seems they wanted to make sure their check to us got to the right place. Then we had another surprise when the envelope arrived -- a check for $50,000!! This is beyond their wonderfully generous gift of $300,000 pledged to us in 2014. I called Babs Baugh right away to express my astounded joy and ask what the occasion was for the new gift. Babs said, "We just like to surprise people." Even over the phone, I could just see her eyes twinkle! I told her I would be happy for them to surprise us anytime! I had a chance to tell her about things happening all around, but especially about our conference this summer. After our conversation, I thought about how this new gift might be an encouragement to all of us to consider whether we could make a new gift as the close of our Campaign draws near. The Baughs had already made a significant gift, but here they were adding a new gift-- even without being asked. Could we follow that example? Would you consider a extra gift to help us finish on the strongest possible level? Together we can build the foundation we need for a vital future! |
2016 Annual Conference in Redlands, California
The Second Year Lovelace Scholarship deadline
has been extended to April 20
 ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!!REGISTER NOWSilent Auction for the Lovelace Scholarship
For many years, The Hymn Society has included a silent auction at our Annual Conference. As many of your know, the proceeds of the silent auction go directly into funding the Lovelace Scholarship, which pays for students and recent graduates to attend the Annual Conference in memory of Dr. Austin Lovelace. In order to continue the success of the silent auction, we are expanding the types of items we will accept while also clarifying what items are best to leave at home. Of special interest this year is that we are specifically inviting hand-made and other artisanal crafts.
See the guidelines attached here to see what to bring.
Silent Auction Guidelines Family Programming
While the adults go to the plenary and sectional sessions, children and youth will get to spend time with two top-class clinicians who will lead them in music-making, games, and more. The culmination of the children and youth programming will be helping to lead our closing festival.
Megan Mash (left) will lead the children: rising Kindergarten through rising 5th grade. Megan is Music Minister at Sebastian United Methodist Church, Sebastian, FL.
Heather Gottas (right) will lead the youth: rising 6th grade through rising 12th grade. Heather has worked in children's and youth ministry in the United Methodist Church for fifteen years and is a third year MDiv student at Perkins School of Theology. Visit the website for more information about the programming and about Megan and Heather
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Writing the Church's Song Save the Date! We will offer a workshop retreat for poets and composers of all styles of congregational song in September, 2016. Outstanding faculty will guide participants, providing insights from their own writing process and offering feedback. There will be time for small group interaction and ample time for individuals to work on their own projects. The workshop will be held at Richmond Hill, an ecumenical community in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. Full schedule and registration will be available online May 1.
Space is limited so sign up early!!
Schedule Overview
Monday, Sept 26: check in after 4 pm and join the community for prayer and dinner Tuesday Sept 27 through Thursday Sept 29: meet together for the workshop Friday Sept 30: check out after breakfast and depart for home Faculty
   Adam M. L. Tice David M. Bailey Sally Ann Morris
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Hymnary.org Resources
Hymnary.org continually adds modern and historic hymnals to our collection. We recently completed several Lutheran hymnals with full text, reference and page scans (where permissible). With some of the titles included in the Dictionary of North American Hymnology (http://www.hymnary.org/dnah), these hymnals and their contents are now fully searchable. Recently completed hymnals: Lutheran Service Book (2006), The Warburg Hymnal (1918), The Lutheran Hymnary (1913), Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal with Music (1908), Book of Worship with Hymns (1899), and Hymns, Selected and Original (1829).
Kai Ton Chau
Program Manager, Hymnary.org
And here's a Hymnary.org tip from Deb: Have you ever noticed that some of the page scans have just part of the hymn? I learned from Kai Ton that if you click on the underlined name of the hymnal just below the page scan, you'll move to the entire hymnal scan and you can move from page to page, seeing that entire hymn and everything else in the hymnal if you wish! Thank you, Hymnary.org, for including these scans!!
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News from Taiwan
Continuing his sabbatical travels, Michael Hawn, FHS taught an intensive 35-hour seminar on theology and hymns to eighty attendees at Tainan Theological College and Seminary, Taiwan, January 25-29, 2016. The conference was organized by Dr. I-to Loh, FHS, and his wife Hui-chin, (pictured below) the latter serving throughout the week as translator. In addition to students and musicians from the Tainan area, a group came from Taipei and also from Hong Kong.
 While we'll miss Michael and Collyn at our conference this summer, we appreciate the work he is doing to teach and encourage our friends in Asia in their congregational singing. Thanks, also, Michael, for sending us such interesting updates!
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Association for Reformed and Liturgical Worship The spring convocation, Worship, God's Call, Our Response will be held Sunday July 24 through Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at the Prince Conference Center, Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, MI. The meeting is sponsored jointly with Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and Church Music Institute. For more information, see the attached Flyer. We're also pleased to share that AR&LW will be meeting jointly with The Hymn Society's annual conference in July 2017 in Canada.
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LutheranArts Sponsors Martin Luther Hymn Prizes
LutheranArts is offering three inaugural Martin Luther Hymn Prizes to honor the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017. John Nuechterlein, President of the American Composers Forum, wanted to make sure Hymn Society members and friends learn about this exciting new venture. You may learn more about the prizes on the website: www.LutheranArts.org. Deadline to register an application is May 31. LutheranArts is open to all.
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Singing with Martin Luther and the Lutherans The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship announces a workshop designed to explore the riches of Lutheran hymnody for those, like Professor Mark A. Noll, who are not themselves Lutherans. Participants will take a quick historical journey to note important landmarks.
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Amazon Smile Remember that you can support The Hymn Society each time to buy books and products through Amazon. Enter the site through Amazon Smile, register The Hymn Society as your charity, and then enjoy your purchases even more, knowing that a percentage will come to us as a result.
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Reviews of Hymn-Based Compositions
Our thanks to Gregory Schaefer for choral reviews this month. Reviews
If you'd like to write some reviews of hymn-based compositions, please contact Robin Knowles Wallace rwallace@mtso.edu
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Church Music Institute Summer Worshop
"Music in Christian Worship: Forming Hearts and Habits of Faithfulness" will be the theme of the conference, June 10-11, 2016, presented by Church Music Institute and Brite Divinity School. It will convene at Zion Lutheran Church in Dallas, TX. For more information, see the attached Flyer.
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The Ascending Voice IV
A different kind of hymn conference being held May 12-14, 2016 at Pepperdine University called "The Ascending Voice." This is a triennial "symposium" dedicated to a cappella congregational singing, though the music and experience would be equally valuable to all Christian hymnody. It is highly ecumenical, drawing participants from many different denominations. It is also international in scope. The range of music is broad--from classic hymnody to gospel to Sacred Harp Southern hymnody. A special feature of this year's program will be an introduction to a new hymn project in which 150 new settings for the 150 psalms will be introduced.
Ken Nafziger will be participating in The Ascending Voice. Members and friends of the Hymn Society, especially those living in Southern California, may want to participate in this symposium.
For more information, see the website:
The evening concerts may be of particular interest:
Thursday, 5/12 -- Cerulean -- this is a new professional vocal ensemble that will perform great sacred pieces.
Friday, 5/13 -- Collegiate Choral Festival Concert -- composed of various collegiate choirs from around the U.S., conducted by Simon Carrington, co-founder of the British ensemble "The King's Singers," and former director of choral music at Yale University
Saturday, 5/14 -- Take 6 -- the Grammy- and Dove Award-winning African-American ensemble known for its wide variety of styles.
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Correction
Last month, we announced a conference, April 4-6, 2016 - for worship leaders at Valparaiso University in Indiana. We incorrectly listed the sponsor for that event. It should be noted that the conference was sponsored by The Institute of Liturgical Studies at Valparaiso University. We apologize for this error and trust that it was an inspiring event.
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Hymn Society Hymn Search
As part of The Hymn Society's ongoing commitment to the enrichment of congregational song and in anticipation of the 2016 conference "Formed in Faith, Shaped by Song" the Executive Committee has announced a search for a theologically rich hymn or song that engages the theme of the role of congregational singing in faith formation. The winning entry will be premiered at our 2016 conference in Redlands, California. An effective entry in this hymn search will address how singing as a part of a faith community shapes faith through various stages of life. The prize for the winning entry will be $500. Submissions must be received in The Hymn Society office by May 15, 2016. See the attachments for the full announcement, guidelines and entry form.
Announcement Guidelines Entry Form |
Continuing Hymn Contest
Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 announces a Hymn Writing Competition for a new hymn (text and tune) to celebrate its 100th anniversary in October 2016. The hymn text and tune must be original, suited for praise and celebration for a centennial worship service. A cash prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the winner (author-composer) or equally divided between an author and composer team. The hymn will be premiered on Sunday, October 23, 2016. Submissions must be e-mailed or postmarked by May 1, 2016. Contact: Robert Moncrief, Minister of Music and Organist, at Rmoncrief@fairmountchurch.org or 216-321-5800 (ext.135).
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News of Members
Carlton R. (Sam) Young, FHS is turning 90 on April 25. Congratulations, Sam -- we're grateful for your energy and continuing scholarship. You certainly are living up to your name!!!
Jeffrey Clouser recently earned his certification in Church Music through Virginia Wesleyan College and has been hired as Music Director at Palmyra Church of the Brethren in Palmyra, PA. As Music Director, Jeff facilitates the choral, handbell and praise team programs and participates in the planning of the worship services. He also serves as the festival coordinator for the 2016 Lancaster-Lebanon Handbell Festival.
Cathy Salika needs a new boss (Music Director) at her church in Urbana, IL. See the attached file for more information.
Job Announcement
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Recent Events
February 27, 2016 - "Singing with the Spirit," a one-day conference on congregational song was held at Vienna Baptist Church in Vienna, VA. Organized by former Lovelace Scholar, CJ Redden-Liotta, clinicians included plenary presenter and hymn festival leader, Mary Louise Bringle and workshop leaders Elaine Rendler, William Bradley Roberts and Deborah Carlton Loftis. The closing hymn festival was entitled, "Lead Me, Guide Me: Hymns that Inspired Our Nation's Leaders." The workshop was presented with support from The Hymn Society, Oregon Catholic Press, and Vienna Baptist Church. March 16, 2016 --An evening of singing, fun, and fellowship called Big Sing! was hosted by the Kanata Centre for Worship and Global Song, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. They were led in song by students in Waterloo Lutheran Seminary's song-leading and enlivening seminary, "Loft Up Your Voice: Leading the People's Song in Worship." This event was organized by course instructor Hilary Seraph Donaldson. April 2, 2016 -- "Children Sing the World's Faith" hymn festival capped a day-long children's choir workshop led by Brian Hehn, Director of The Center for Congregational Song. The workshop and festival featured the children's choir of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale, PA and was held at Bon Air United Methodist Church. Kathy Toole, Director of Music at BAUM, was organist for the festival.
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Upcoming Events
April 23, 2016 -- The North Long Beach, CA Christian Church will host a "Praise Rally" hymn sing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The theme of the rally is "honoring the past while leaning into the future." A wide range of musical styles will be presented by several leaders.
This rally is open to others who may want to lead a song in either the morning or afternoon session. Contact Elnora at 562-313-5336 if you wish to participate by leading a song. Please come for the day and bring a dish that serves eight for our traditional church potluck lunch. We look forward to singing with YOU!
May 1, 2016 -- Join Hymn Society members Steve Starke and Andreas Teich as they present a hymn festival of ten Welsh tunes sponsored by the Saginaw Valley chapter of the AGO. We gather at Trinity Episcopal Church, Bay City on Sunday, May 1 at 4:00pm. Along with favorites, like Hyfrydol and Cwm Rhondda, we will sing less well-known ones such as Suo Gan and Blaenwern.
June 26-July 1, July 3-8 -- Church Music Institute and Shenandoah Conservatory will host a conference, "Sing to the Lord ... with Understanding," A study of the history and repertoire of Congregational Song and its role in choral and organ settings. Featuring . . . June 26-July 1: Donald McCullough July 3-8: Eileen Guenther, John Walker
For more information, visit the CMI website at www.su.edu/cmi
or contact the director, Dr. J. Thomas Mitts at cmi@su.edu
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